Alex and William reached the hall where the banquet was to be held and parted ways. The mage slipped inside and blended in with the guests, while the prince waited to be announced.
He took a deep breath and adjusted his gloves.
He could do this; it was nothing a future ruler couldn't handle.
As soon as the herald announced him, Alex crossed the threshold and entered the hall.
The gathered nobles bowed as he passed, a soft rustle of fabric filling the air. The prince stopped before the sovereigns and inclined his head.
"Father, Mother, may the sun ever shine upon you."
The king smiled. "Don't bow, my son. This celebration is in your honor."
"Thank you."
At his father's gesture, the music began to fill the air again. The nobles returned to their conversations, amid the clinking of glasses and restrained laughter. The room was a blaze of gold and sparkling crystal, reflecting the glow of the candles.
Alex looked around and spotted William in a corner with Lady Lynden. They were speaking in low voices, likely about their plan, and the noblewoman wore a focused expression. With a bit of luck, they would be able to count on her.
But the prince had to play his part.
He took a goblet from a tray and joined a pair of royal advisors: a middle-aged woman with dark hair gathered into a bun, and a young man with hair so light it looked silver.
"My lord, my lady, it's a pleasant evening, don't you think?"
They offered him a courteous bow, then the woman smiled.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Your Highness. I hope you're not still displeased about the small misunderstanding the other day."
The smile on Alex's face faltered. "Of course not. It would be foolish to hold a grudge over something so trivial, wouldn't it?"
The woman nodded. "Exactly. With less experience, it's only natural to stumble now and then."
"I admit it, and that's precisely why I hope I can rely on your guidance."
The man smiled. "You don't need much guidance, Your Highness."
"Really? Am I that hopeless?"
"Quite the opposite. You're not a fool; you're perfectly capable of handling matters of state."
A wave of surprise ran through Alex. Was that a compliment?
"I'm not sure I can manage, Lord…"
The man sighed. "By the spirits, Your Highness, at least learn the names of your advisors."
"I have a terrible memory."
"Lord Lester Amato."
"Ah, the new one. You've taken over your uncle's seat, haven't you?"
"That's right." Amato shook his head. "Poor man. Dying alone and without heirs."
"What do you think of the court?"
The man gave him a measured smile. "Not what I expected."
"In a good way or a bad one?"
"I've yet to decide." He raised his goblet toward Alex. "But you are interesting, Your Highness. And, to be honest, I appreciated you the other day."
Alex brushed it off with an amiable smile. "As I said, I have a terrible memory. Having my mage at my side would have helped me follow the meeting more closely."
"I don't doubt it. And besides, Master William is a capable man. He deserved that position more than Ballard."
The woman looked scandalized. "Lord Amato! You can't say something like that!"
"Why not? It's no secret that I detest Ballard." The man spread his hands. "And I don't see why we should cling so tightly to tradition. Only fools refuse to evolve."
Alex smiled and took Lord Amato by the arm, guiding him away from the woman before the exchange turned into an argument.
"Can I speak frankly with you, advisor?"
"Of course, Your Highness."
"Which side are you on?"
Lester studied him for a moment. "Yours, obviously. And against Ballard."
"Personal grievances?"
"My march needs roads, but Ballard blocked the allocation of funds. My people are suffering because of him."
Alex turned serious. "I can help you."
"And I can help you, I suppose."
"I need your vote."
"For what?"
"You said you respect William, didn't you? If that's true, then support me."
Lester's expression darkened. "So Ballard really is trying to drive William out. I thought it was just one of his usual blustering outbursts."
Alex clenched his fists. "If you assure me you'll oppose him in the vote, I can get you the resources you need. I can't promise money, but I can send you men or materials."
"I'll let you know, Your Highness." The advisor took a step back. "But allow me to give you some advice. Don't reveal your cards too early. I might have agreed even without anything in return."
"But your people are also my people, and I can't stand to see them suffer."
Lord Amato raised his eyebrows. "You're… not quite what I expected. It will be an honor to serve you."
"Thank you."
"Then I'll give you one last piece of advice. The Council isn't as united as the king believes. At the moment, there are two factions: one led by Ballard, the other by me. Some advisors haven't chosen a side yet. If you want to win the vote, you'll need to focus on them."
"Can I count on your support?"
"Of course. Ah, call me Lester, Your Highness."
Lord Amato raised his goblet in greeting and walked away.
Alex followed him with his gaze until he lost sight of him. If what the advisor had said was true, he would need to take advantage of it.
"How did it go?" William's cold voice startled him.
Alex turned with a smile, but when he saw him, all he felt was a swarm of butterflies fluttering in his stomach. Bathed in the glow of the crystals and surrounded by all that splendor, he was even more beautiful than usual.
William frowned. "What is it now?"
"Nothing. It's just that… you look stunning tonight."
A faint blush colored his cheeks. "Well, thank you. And you do too. The crownlet suits you."
Alex suddenly felt embarrassed and at a loss for words. It hadn't happened to him in years, especially in front of a man he was attracted to, and he felt as though he had gone back to his teenage years, grappling with first loves.
Was that what being in love meant?
He cleared his throat and decided to change the subject.
"Lester Amato is on our side. He says there are two opposing factions, his and Ballard's, but some advisors still haven't taken a position. He suggests focusing on the undecided ones."
"What did you offer him in return?"
"His march's roads are in disrepair. I promised him help. I can use my own funds to provide materials and labor." Alex met his gaze. "I would have done it anyway. Those people are mine too."
William gave a small smile. "I know. That's why I keep saying you're a good man."
"It's what a good king would do, right?"
"I don't know. But it's certainly what I expect from the king I want to serve."
Those words filled the prince with pride and satisfaction.
"Do you remember what I told you this morning?"
"Yes. Where do you want me to be?"
Alex thought for a moment. "The Hall of Blades will do."
It was nearby and, at least in theory, deserted. He would ask Sven to check it.
"When?" asked William.
"After the speech. I'll join you as soon as I'm done."
William nodded, but before he could say anything, Ballard's irritating voice made them both stiffen.
"Your Highness! It's a real pleasure to see you."
The man approached them with his usual condescending smile and cast a dismissive glance at the mage.
"I can't say the same about you, Xianese."
"The feeling is mutual, advisor."
Ballard turned his attention back to Alex and gestured to the young woman behind him. "May I have the honor of introducing you to my daughter Vanessa?"
The girl, just over twenty, wore a black dress that clung to her body and emphasized her neckline. Her dark hair was gathered at the nape of her neck, and a strand of pearls encircled her throat. She was beautiful, but her detached expression failed to make her stand out.
Lady Vanessa curtsied. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Highness."
Ballard smirked. "My little girl has been longing to dance with you. Will you accept, won't you?"
Alex shot a quick glance at William before nodding. "Of course. I'd be happy to."
The girl offered a small smile, but she didn't truly seem pleased by the idea of dancing. "Thank you."
The prince took her hand and led her to the center of the hall, cheerful as one would expect of him. Inside, though, he couldn't help worrying about William.
-------------------------
Lord Ballard grimaced and turned his gaze away from his daughter and the prince as they danced.
"You still don't understand, do you?"
William frowned. "I understand perfectly well, advisor."
"So you'll do as I suggested?"
"No. I've already told you: I'm not leaving."
Lord Ballard took a goblet from a passing tray and turned it between his fingers. "You have no idea how much your presence irritates me."
"I think I do, actually. You threw an inkwell at my face."
"I should have aimed better."
"If you had, I doubt you'd have gotten away with it."
Lord Ballard swallowed the wine in one gulp and twisted his mouth in distaste. "Perhaps, but at least I would've had the satisfaction of seeing your pretty face ruined."
William scowled. "Do you hate my appearance that much?"
"Obviously. Your beauty is unnatural."
"That's not true."
"How many other men have you seen with a face like yours?"
None, though that meant nothing.
Lord Ballard rolled the goblet between his fingers. "Your face disgusts me, mage. Even more so when I think you're like those Xianese devils who attacks our caravans."
"I am Vellarian, advisor."
"No, you're not. And His Highness should be careful not to place too much trust in you." He leaned closer and lowered his voice. "I've seen the way he looks at you, how he changed his mind about you right after returning from Astya. You've bewitched his heart, mage."
"I haven't done anything."
"Maybe not, but the prince has already wasted too much time chasing after prostitutes. Now he needs to marry, and you're his new distraction."
William shot him an icy look, though inside he only wanted to smash a tray over his head. "And I suppose he'll have to marry your daughter."
"Vanessa is a perfect candidate. And if he marries her, he'll have my support. I might even decide not to bring your situation before the Council."
William stiffened, and Lord Ballard gave a victorious little smile.
"I wonder whether the prince is willing to compromise just to keep you by his side."
"He won't. He's not your pawn."
"We'll see, mage."
The advisor gave him a curt nod and walked away, leaving him prey to a thousand doubts and fears. William had believed he could beat him at his own game, but now he was no longer so sure. And Alex might actually be capable of marrying just to prevent him from being driven away.
The problem was that William was not willing to accept it. Despite what he had told the prince, he would never accept handing him over to someone else. It was a selfish thought, one he should have tried to suppress.
He reached out to take a goblet, but graceful fingers intercepted his. A pair of sky-blue eyes—so similar to the ones William had come to love—fixed him with a shrewd, calculating gaze.
"William Traver, am I correct?" Princess Franziska offered him a cordial smile. "May I ask you for a dance?"